Rugby’s leading decision-makers will meet in Sydney next week when Rugby Australia hosts key World Rugby committee meetings.

Within a week of scheduled meetings, World Rugby’s Executive, Rugby, Regional, Audit and Risk and Regulations Committees and Rugby World Cup Board will meet to discuss global rugby matters.

With Rugby participation and fandom continuing to grow rapidly, the committees will consider strategies that will foster continued prosperity and sustainability of rugby at all levels in line with World Rugby’s strategic mission to grow the global rugby family.

Agenda items include evidence-based player welfare injury-prevention strategies including the recent lowered tackle height trials, strategies to further the commercial strength of the global game, the ongoing implementation of the women in Rugby plan, Rugby World Cup 2019 and 2023 preparation, the host selection process for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 and the selection of hosts for the next cycle of the men’s and women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Within the programme of scheduled meetings, delegates will consider ways to further optimise the value of international Rugby for all stakeholders while maintaining the framework of the San Francisco global calendar accord agreed in 2017.

Each year World Rugby’s September meetings are hosted by a Union. The delegation will also attend the National Rugby Championship (NRC) match between the Fijian Drua and Sydney Rays at Concord Oval on Sunday, September 23. The Drua’s participation in the Australian competition for the second year is an important part of Rugby World Cup player development and comes with the support of Rugby Australia and is financially underwritten by World Rugby.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Rugby is currently experiencing strong growth with more men, women and children than ever before taking- up the sport, but we must always look ahead and drive strategies that further the welfare of our players at all levels, build solid foundations for a sustainable and exciting game for unions, players and fans and deliver world-class events.

“Our committee meetings are an important part of driving strategies that optimise our mission to grow and strengthen rugby and I look forward to productive consideration and discussion with my colleagues in Sydney over the next week and meeting with our friends from Rugby Australia, who are kindly hosting us.”

Rugby Australia Chairman, Cameron Clyne said: “We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from World Rugby and Unions from across the globe. We look forward to hosting the delegation at an NRC match, and at various other events across the week and showing them the best of Sydney in and around a week of important meetings and a women’s Rugby forum.

“We also thank the NSW Government for their support in hosting the delegates in Sydney throughout the week.”